Improvement in fruit-driers



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jig/fe l frame/e507 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE E. NEBINGER, 0E PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN FRUIT-DRIERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 138,516, datedMay 6, 1873; application iiled August 15, 1872.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE R. NEBINGER, of the city of Philadelphia and State ofPenn- Sylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Fruit-Driers, of which the following is a specification:

This invention relates to that class of apparatus employed in drying fruit, vegetables, &c.; and it consists in the construction ofthe air-duct and its distributing-arms, whereby the hot air is more uniformly distributed under and around each drawer or drier, and in the construction and arrangement of the fur,- nace and flues of the drier,whereby the waste heat of the products of combustion is fully utilized; also, of the plate or shield, whereby the heat is made to enter the duct D; and also of the flue for'the escape of the vaporheated air, whereby the moisture of the drying fruit is perfectly vaporized.

In the drawing, Figure l is a vertical section of my improved drier centrally. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section, showing the drawers or trays and the ilues. Fig. 3 is a vertical section, showing the furnace-due, hot-air duct, vapor-heated air-flue, distributing-pipes and plate. Fig. 4 is a view of the funnel-shaped bottom of the hot-air duct, showing the spiral wings or anges. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section on the line z z, showing the arrangement of the furnace-fines. Fig. 6 is a horizontal view of plate or shield, showing the opening in the center.

Like letters refer to like parts in the draw- Ing.

A is the frame of the drier, which is of such depth, width, and height as to accommodate the number of drawers or trays required. It is suitably inclosed at the top, excepting at the center, where the pipe from the furnace or stove passes out. B is the stove or furnace, which is located at one side centrally, and is provided with flucs, (l, passing directly across the side, there bending at right angles, passes to the back of the structure, and, again bending at right angles, unite in a single return flue, which, in turn, bends at a right angle, passing up through the center of the chamber. I is a plate or shield situated between the trays and furnace t`o prevent the heat from passing directly up to the trays, in the center of which there is an opening. D is a hot-air tube or duct some two or more inches larger in diameter than the furnace-flue, which it surrounds. This pipe is closed at its top by a disk, which surrounds the stove or furnace flue, and is tted as closely thereto as is possible without actual contact. Contact is avoided for reasons which will hereinafter become apparent. The duct D may be suspended loosely from the roof ofthe drier, or from any other suitableportion of the structure. d are arms havingperforations an inch or more apart, or may have an opening their entire length projeotin g from duct D between the trays or driers F. The bottom E of the duct D is funnelshaped, which funnel Vsets over and covers the opening in the center of the plate I, and has upon its inner side a series of wings or lianges, e, set at such an angle that the hot air passing into the tube will cause the tube to revolve. The driers or trays are constructed so as to leave an open space between them and the duct D, which open space forms the flue G for the escape of the vaporized air, surrounding as it does the duct D. lt more thoroughly acts as and becomes a flue for the es- .cape of the vapor heated air through the central opening in the roof, which opening is larger than the duet D. The opening is capped by a cowl or hood, H, for itsprotection, and to prevent the entrance of dust, Src. The trays F are or may be in the form of drawers to be inserted and withdrawn through suitable openings in the sides of the frame A.. Doors are provided for the admission of air to regulate the temperature.A

The trays having been supplied with fruit or other matter and the fire started in the fur nace the heated air rises through the funnel E into the duct D, and as it impinges upon the flanges e causes the duct D and its arms d to revolve. rllhe hot air then escapes from the perforations in the arms d, and owing to their motion is evenly distributed under all parts of the trays. The furnace-nue C passing centrally through the duct D will give up its heat to the air in the duct D, thereby utilizing such heat as would otherwise escape with the products of combustion. The tube D may be made to revolve by means of a pulley and Weights or other suitablemechani sm, if deemed desirable. Y Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim is- 1. The combination of the central furnaceue C and the air-duct D provided With the funnel E and arms d, as and for the purposes herein set forth.

2. rIhe combination of the revolving hotair duct D provided with arms l and trays F, as and for the purposes herein set forth.

3. The combination of the central furnaceflue O, air-duct D provided with arms d, and the trays F, as and for the purposes herein set forth.

v 4. The combination of the vaporheated airue G surrounding the hot-air duct D and furnace-flue C, as and for the purposes herein set forth.

5. The combination of the plate or shield I and the hot-air duct D, as and for the purposes herein set forth.

To the above specification I have signed my name this 13th day of August, A. D. 1872, in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

G. RNEBINGER.

Witnesses H. O. SOHOMAGKER, WM. A. WHITE. 

